Gerald Transpota

Gerald Transpota was an artist active during a concentrated period between 1935 and 1936. Their known output is directly linked to the documentation of American material culture, likely associated with the 15 Index of American Designs project, which aimed to preserve visual records of historical and decorative arts.

Transpota's documented work consists of precise technical illustrations and studies of functional objects, reflecting a practice focused on archival and historical preservation. Subjects represented in museum collections include studies of tools and functional hardware, such as Bit and Color Notes on Iron. The artist also documented domestic and artisanal items, exemplified by Elementary School Bell, Nutcracker - Dog, and the detailed study Saddle (Technique Demonstration).

A selection of Transpota's documentation is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. The preservation of these records provides invaluable source material for design historians. Today, this archival material, often available as high-quality prints, ensures the continued accessibility of Transpota’s contribution to the visual inventory of American craft and design.